CZ308701B6 - Large-area sensor for indicating the occupancy of storage, exhibition or sales shelves - Google Patents

Abstract

The large-area sensor (1) for indicating the occupancy of storage, exhibition or sales shelves is formed by a flat pad at least partially covering the shelf surface, consisting of at least one sensing element (2) and at least one bus (3) connected to the sensing elements (2) . The pad is formed by at least one flexible substrate and the sensing element (2) is integrated in the pad. The electrically conductive connections and the sensor element (2) are non-detachably printed and / or non-detachably applied by a coating technique on a flexible substrate. The sensing elements (2) are formed by crossing two electrically conductive paths (4), which have mutually facing flat electrodes (5) at the point of intersection, a layer (6) of elastomeric material with a defined electrical permittivity or a defined electrical resistance is inserted between the flat electrodes (5), or the sensing element (2) is formed by the structure of an interdigital electrode (7), on which a layer (6) of elastomeric composite material with a defined electrical permittivity or a defined electrical resistance is printed or the sensing element (2) is light-sensitive and comprises a photoresistor or a photovoltaic cell.

Description

Field of technology

The technical solution concerns a large-area sensor for indicating the occupancy of storage, exhibition or sales shelves.

Prior art

The coming digitization of industry and trade requires increasingly precise knowledge about the state of goods, semi-finished products and raw materials in the warehouse system. In the emerging so-called smart warehousing, which is directly connected with the digitization of industrial production management, or the digitization of the entire business cycle, not only knowledge of the simple presence of products, raw materials or semi-finished products in warehouses, but also direct knowledge of occupancy of individual warehouse positions. The already established warehouse system, which has accurate knowledge of the material entering the warehouse system and its movement in the entire production or business cycle, is approached by a system informing about the occupancy of warehouse positions. This makes it possible to optimize the utilization of warehouses and intermediate warehouses with handled material.

The above information is also valuable directly in consumer goods stores, where the seller obtains direct information about the behavior of customers when buying goods in self-service chains. The seller obtains directly online information on the occupancy of the shelves on which the goods sold are located, as well as information on how customers remove goods from the shelves and what their preferences are. From the customer's point of view, then this information can be mediated by the seller and he can be informed about the availability of goods in the establishment.

Currently, there are many conventional approaches to creating sensors that detect the presence of a product on a shelf or at a defined location in the exhibition area. They can be based on various principles, such as reading the response of the RFID tag due to the presence of an object, or shading the photo sensor by an object or by analyzing the image of the scanned shelf using industrial cameras. Although the solutions are efficient and easy to install in established warehouses, they have their disadvantages, such as the presence of false signals of the presence of an object in shielded RFID, or the impossibility of their installation on metal shelves. In the case of sensor systems based on light sensors, then there is a problem in warehouses where it is dark most of the time, or very low light levels and the sensitivity of the sensor is at its limits. In the case of camera systems, the main disadvantage is the cost of setting up the entire warehouse system, the amount of transmitted and analyzed data and the associated computing power. There are also problems with shading the camera's view, there are no restrictions in terms of monitoring deep shelves due to the angle of view of the camera, or shading the view with a closer object.

The object of the invention is therefore to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks and to provide a large-area sensor for indicating the occupancy of storage, exhibition or sales shelves which eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, is easy to install in existing storage, exhibition or sales shelves and which is able to detect objects of any size. .

The essence of the invention

The stated task is solved by means of a large-area sensor for indicating the occupancy of storage, exhibition or sales shelves according to the present invention. The large-area sensor is formed by a flat pad for at least partial covering of the shelf surface, consisting of at least one sensing element and of at least one bus connected to the sensing elements by an electrically conductive connection. The essence of the present invention is that the pad is formed by at least one

-1 CZ 308701 B6 flexible substrate, the sensing element is integrated in the substrate, wherein the electrically conductive connections and the sensing element are non-detachably printed and / or non-detachably applied by application technique on the flexible substrate. The large-area sensor is thin, flexible and thus allows its easy installation in existing storage, exhibition or sales shelves.

The sensing elements are preferably arranged on the flexible substrate in arrays with a constant or variable sampling density of the sampling points, where exactly one sensing element is arranged in each sampling point, each array having at least one separate bus. The large-area sensor therefore detects the presence of objects of different sizes thanks to the variable density of the sampling points.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensing element is formed by crossing two electrically conductive paths lying on mutually facing sides of two flexible substrates stacked on top of each other, or by crossing two electrically conductive paths on mutually facing half-sides of the folded side of a single flexible substrate. Between the intersections is a spacer gap defined by at least one adjacent spacer and / or at least one adjacent substrate spacer formed on at least one of the facing sides or half-sides of the flexible substrate. By means of protrusions or spacers, these substrates are then spaced apart in the unloaded state and the electrically conductive paths are not interconnected at the sampling point. If an object is placed at the sampling point or its immediate distance, then the substrate is deflected and a conductive connection is formed, resp. to minimize the distance gap, which is detected by the bus system by means of an electronic evaluation unit. The sensitivity of the sensor to different size, weight or shape of the object can be optimized by suitable mechanical and geometric properties of the substrate, such as flexibility, thickness, distance of spacers, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the conductive paths have a rectangular cross-sectional geometry or diagonally oriented geometry. In the case of higher sensor occupancy, more complex detection of the occupancy state can occur, it is desirable to modify the sensor structure accordingly. This is easier to achieve with diagonally oriented electrically conductive paths, which significantly facilitates resolution with high sensor occupancy. In contrast to the rectangular bar arrangement, each electrically conductive path is connected to fewer sample locations and their location is also more distant. Although the diagonal geometry increases the number of read channels per unit area over rectangular geometry, it provides major advantages in terms of detection for highly occupied sensors in terms of ease of reading information from the sensor.

In another preferred embodiment, the sensing element is formed by crossing two electrically conductive paths formed on a common side of the flexible substrate, where the free end of one of the electrically conductive paths lies on a section of flexible substrate folded towards the other electrically conductive path to intersect them, and at the same time conductive tracks at the intersection. If an object is placed at the sampling point or its immediate distance, then the substrate will be deflected, resp. to minimize the distance gap, and the formation of a conductive connection, which is detected by a bus system using an electronic evaluation unit.

In another preferred embodiment, the sensing element is formed by crossing two electrically conductive paths which are provided with mutually facing flat electrodes at the crossing point, a layer of elastomeric material with a defined electrical permittivity or with a defined electrical resistance being inserted between the flat electrodes. In the case of compression of the elastomeric dielectric material at the sample site, the capacity of the sensor element increases due to the approach of the electrodes. In the case of an elastomeric resistive material, compression occurs under load, which reduces the response value of the sensor element and thus the presence and load can be detected depending on the weight of the object.

In another preferred embodiment, the sensing element is formed by an interdigital electrode structure on which a layer of elastomeric composite material with a defined electrical permittivity or with a defined electrical resistance is printed. The principle is based on printing

- 2 CZ 308701 B6 elastomeric composite to the structure of the interdigital electrode IDE, where after loading the elastomeric layer changes the electrical resistance due to the approach of conductive particles immobilized in the elastomeric polymer. The elastomeric composite material is preferably an elastomeric polymer from the group of styrene-butadiene or SBR, acrylonitrile-butadiene or NBR, ethylene propylene diene monomer or EPDM, polydimethylsiloxane or PDMS, ethylene vinyl acetate or EVA, and electrically conductive micro and / or nano particles from the group of carbon materials. materials, silver materials, copper materials, conductive polymers, etc.

In addition to large-area sensors, which are based on the effect of the weight of the detected object, large-area sensors can also be created by printing, which detect the presence of an object by detecting radiation intensity most often in the visible region of the spectrum. This is realized in such a way that the sensor element is in a preferred arrangement light-sensitive, i.e. it preferably comprises a photoresistor or a photovoltaic cell. The presence of a suitable intensity of visible radiation is a prerequisite for the functionality of the light-sensitive sensing element. Due to the change in the occupancy of the sampling point, the generated photocurrent will change by an order of magnitude in the case of a sensor based on a photovoltaic cell. In the case of a photoresistor, it is a change in electrical resistance or a change in photoconductivity depending on the intensity of visible radiation. The printed photoresistor then enables an easier construction and thus also the production process. The large-area sensor can then advantageously be prepared on a single substrate in a matrix arrangement, where the individual photoresistors are connected to the detection unit by means of a system of busbars and conductive paths. The given solution also enables the production of a large-area sensor in an infinite mode, which is divisible by individual segments.

The sensing elements are preferably formed of at least one material from the group of printing formulations based on particles of precursors of silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum, or carbon composites, and further that the flexible substrates are formed of at least one material from the group of polymeric substrates polyethylene terephthalate or PET. , polyethylene naphthalene or PEN, polycarbonate or PC, polypropylene or PP, polyethylene or PE, polystyrene or PS, ethylene vinyl acetate or PEVA, polyurethane, and paper, compostable material PLA or polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, nanocellulose, or chitosan.

Explanation of drawings

The present invention will be further elucidated in the following figures, where:

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of a flexible substrate, Fig. 2 shows a view of a composite flexible substrate, i.e. a large-area functional sensor with rectangular conductive paths, Fig. 3a shows a view of a large-area sensor, Fig. 3b shows a detail view of a section of a flexible substrate; Fig. 4 shows a view of a large-area sensor with diagonally arranged electrically conductive paths, Fig. 5 shows a view of an electrode with a layer of elastomeric material at the intersection of electrically conductive paths, Fig. 6 shows a view of a large-area sensor with an interdigital electrode; large-area sensor with interdigital electrode and resistive layer of elastomeric material, Fig. 8 shows a view of a large-area sensor with photoresistors, Fig. 9 shows a view of a large-area sensor with transverse electrically conductive paths.

Examples of embodiments of the invention

Example 1 Shelf occupancy sensor on the principle of creating a short circuit

-3GB 308701 B6

A PET film with a thickness of 175 μm and a width of 410 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A series of motifs from three screen printing units was printed on it in the register, where the first layer contained a motif with longitudinal scanning elements 2 in the printing direction, where the printing motif of longitudinal electrically conductive paths 4 was about 1 m long, and the printing motif with transverse electrically conductive paths 4 was perpendicular. to the printing direction as shown in Fig. 1. The printing motif was printed using a silver printing formulation using a 320 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . As a second layer, a layer 6 of dielectric material (not specifically UV-curable dielectric) was shown, which prevented a short circuit with a subsequently printed third conductive silver layer, which suitably complemented the functionality of the large area sensor L. Subsequently, local longitudinal perforation in the middle of the flexible substrate in the longitudinal direction was realized in the machine. Appropriately perforated double-sided adhesive spacer (100 μm) tape was laminated from the unwinding unit to the given printing motif on the right half of the printing substrate in the longitudinal direction. Subsequently, the longitudinal composition of the film was realized in the machine, the so-called simple warehouse, during which the entire large-area sensor 1 was laminated using double-sided adhesive tape. The resulting large-area shelf sensor 1, which is shown in Fig. 2, can be divided into approx. 1 m parts and contacted using single-sided FPC connectors. Detection of the presence of an object on a large-area sensor 1 is then realized by the presence of a short circuit in selected combinations of transverse and longitudinal printed electrically conductive paths 4 and the given short circuit is in the order of tens to hundreds of Ohms.

Example 2 Shelf occupancy sensor on the principle of creating a short circuit

A 175 μm thick PEN film with a width of 410 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A series of motifs from three screen printing units was printed on it in the register, where the first layer contained a motif with longitudinal scanning elements 2 in the printing direction, where the printing motif of longitudinal electrically conductive paths 4 was about 1 m long, and the printing motif with transverse electrically conductive paths 4 was perpendicular. to the printing direction as shown in Fig. 1. The printing motif was printed using a carbon printing formulation using a 275 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 60 Ohm / m ² . As a second layer, a layer 6 of dielectric material, not specifically a UV-curable dielectric, was shown (which prevented a short circuit with a subsequently printed third conductive carbon layer), which suitably complemented the functionality of the large area sensor 1. Subsequently, local longitudinal perforation in the middle of the flexible substrate was performed in the longitudinal direction. Appropriately perforated double-sided adhesive spacer (100 μm) tape was laminated from the unwinding unit to the given printing motif on the right half of the printing substrate in the longitudinal direction. Subsequently, the longitudinal composition of the film was realized in the machine, the so-called simple warehouse, during which the entire large-area sensor was laminated]. using double-sided adhesive tape. The resulting large-area shelf sensor 1 can be divided into approx. 1 m sections and contacted using single-sided FPC connectors. Detection of the presence of an object on a large-area sensor 1 is then realized by the presence of a short circuit in selected combinations of transverse and longitudinal printed electrically conductive paths 4 and the given short circuit is in the order of tens of kOhm.

Example 3 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of short-circuit formation realized on one substrate by printing R2R

A PET film with a thickness of 250 μm and a width of 310 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. It was first printed on a motif of a first layer comprising longitudinal sensing elements 2 (conductive lines) in the printing direction (endless electrically conductive paths 4 using special screens enabling printing of endless motifs). The print motif was printed using a silver print formulation using a 320 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . As a second layer, a non-illustrated layer 6 of dielectric material was printed, in particular a UV-curable dielectric, which prevented a short circuit with a subsequently printed third conductive silver layer. The third layer was printed again by a screen printing unit and contained periodically changing transverse electrically conductive paths 4 together with an element intended for the realization of the sampling point of the sensor L. Part of this layer are also jumpers, for busbars 3 large area

-4GB 308701 B6 of the sensor 1, which, depending on the length of the large-area sensor 1, must be suitably interrupted, as shown in Fig. 3a. Subsequently, a local perforation was realized in the machine by means of a laser beam so as to achieve a cut, i.e. a free end 8 around a part of the sampling point, which bends when the sensor 1 is installed in the above-mentioned manner, as shown in Fig. 3b. The resulting large-area shelf sensor 1 can be divided into any length, at least in approx. 0.5 m parts and contacted using single-sided FPC connectors. The length of the infinite large-area sensor j. For shelves with a depth of approx. 300 mm is arbitrary, only for larger large-area sensors 1 the number of sensors 3 in the lower part of the large-area sensor 1 must be adjusted. Detection of object presence on the large-area sensor 1 is then realized by the presence of short circuit in selected combinations transverse and longitudinal printed electrically conductive paths 4 and the given short circuit shows a resistance in the order of tens to hundreds of Ohms.

Example 4 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of changing the resistance of planar structures

A PET film with a thickness of 125 μm and a width of 410 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A sensor structure consisting of resistive sensing elements 2 was printed on it. The printing motif was printed using a silver printing formulation using a 275 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . As sampling points, flat electrodes 5 were printed, as shown in Fig. 5, with a diameter of 15 mm with buses 3 on the side of the flexible substrate, where the conductive paths 4 formed geometrically the FPC connector. Subsequently, a second layer 6 of elastomeric material, i.e. elastomeric resistive material, was printed on the surface of the flat electrode 5. The third screen-printed layer was printed so that the electrically conductive paths 4 formed a set of lines perpendicular to the first layer and at the same time contained the conductive surface of the counter electrode 5. at the sample location a resistive sensing element 2. Since this electrically conductive path 4 forms essentially only a lead, this electrically conductive path 4 has been conductively connected for a group of adjacent sensing elements 2 in order to reduce the number of FPC connector contacts. The elements of the third conductive layer were terminated again in the form of an FPC connector near the leads of the first layer, so that both layers can be contacted by one FPC connector. The presence of the object on the large-area sensor 1 is then realized by detecting a change in resistance of the occupied sensor elements 2.

Example 5 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of changing the capacitance with an IDE structure

A PET film with a thickness of 250 μm and a width of 410 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A sensor structure consisting of capacitive sensing elements 2 based on an interdigital electrode 7 or IDE was printed as shown in Fig. 6. The printing motif was printed using a silver printing formulation using a 275 w / inch screen. The printed conductive layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . Interdigital electrodes 7 with dimensions of approx. 20 x 20 mm and fingers and gaps of approx. 0.5 mm were printed as sample sites. Within the first layer, both ridges of the IDE structure were printed. The buses 3 of the large-area sensor 1 were designed on the side of the flexible substrate, where at the same time the electrically conductive paths 4 formed geometrically an FPC connector. The presence of the object on the large-area sensor 1, containing mainly water-based liquids, is then realized by detecting a change in capacity at selected sensing elements 2. The change varies in tens of percent, depending on the shape of the object and the liquid.

Example 6 Shelf occupancy sensor on the principle of changing the generated photocurrent or changing the photoconductivity

A PET film with a thickness of 125 μm and a width of 310 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. On it was printed a sensor structure consisting of sensing elements 2 based on the interdigital electrode 7 or IDE shown in Fig. 8 overprinted with a not shown photoconductive layer 6 of elastomeric composite material based on a semiconductor, which shows a reduction in electrical resistance depending on light intensity. The print motif was printed using a silver print formulation using a 320 mesh / inch screen. The printed conductive layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . The IDE structures o were printed as sample sites

-5GB 308701 B6 dimensions approx. 10x10 mm and fingers and gaps approx. 0.25 mm. Within the first layer, both ridges of the IDE structure were printed. The buses 3 of the large-area sensor 1 were designed on the side of the flexible substrate, where the electrically conductive paths 4 formed geometrically an FPC connector. Subsequently, a layer of material was printed which, after illumination by visible radiation, reduces its resistance, thus forming a photoresistor 9. The layer was screen-printed in similar squares which covered the area of the IDE electrodes. The printed layers were then re-laminated with a transparent foil for higher mechanical resistance of sensor E. The presence of an object on a large sensor 1 is then realized by detecting a change in resistance of selected sensing elements 2 due to covering the photoresistor 9, when for an object with significant coverage is significantly higher resistance value. sensing element 2. The change in resistance varies up to tens of percent depending on the presence / absence of the object.

Example 7 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of creating a short circuit

A PET film with a thickness of 250 μm and a width of 310 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. The motif shown in Fig. 3a of the first layer containing longitudinal leads (conductive lines) in the printing direction was first printed on it (endless electrically conductive paths 4 using special screens enabling the printing of endless motifs). The print motif was printed using a carbon print formulation using a 275 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 60 Ohm / m ² . As a second layer, a layer 6 of dielectric material (not shown) was printed, i.e. a UV-curable dielectric, which prevented a short circuit with a subsequently printed third conductive silver layer. The third layer was printed again by a screen printing unit and contained periodically changing transverse electrically conductive paths 4 together with an element intended for the realization of the sampling point of the large area sensor 1. This layer also includes jumpers, which must be suitably depending on the length of the large area sensor 1. interrupted. Subsequently, a local perforation was realized in the machine by means of a laser beam so as to achieve a cut, i.e. a free end 8 around a part of the sampling point, which bends when installing the large-area sensor 1 in the above-mentioned manner. The resulting large-area shelf sensor 1 can be divided into approx. 0.5 m sections and contacted using single-sided FPC connectors. The length of the infinite large-area sensor 1 for shelves with a depth of approx. 300 mm is arbitrary, only for larger large-area sensors 1 the number of busbars 3 in the lower part of the large-area sensor 1 must be adjusted. Detection of object presence on the large-area sensor 1 is then realized by the presence of short circuit and longitudinal printed electrically conductive paths 4 and the given short circuit is in the order of tens to hundreds of kOhm.

Example 8 Shelf occupancy sensor on the principle of short-circuit formation - version with diagonal conductive tracks

A 250 .mu.m thick PET film with a substrate width of 310 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A series of motifs from two screen printing units were printed on it, which composed a motif with diagonal electrically conductive paths 4 from left to right, as shown in Fig. 4, on one flexible substrate in the printing direction, where the printing motif was about 85 cm long. The print motif was printed using a silver print formulation using a 320 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . On the second printing substrate (PET 250 pm) was again printed from two screen printing units of the pattern, which composed a motif with diagonal leads again from left to right on the second flexible substrate in the printing direction, where the printing motif was about 85 cm long. For the given printing motif, a first flexible substrate with diagonal electrically conductive paths 4 was laminated from the unwinding unit in the register via a double-sided adhesive spacer tape (100 μm), which had already been pre-laminated on one side to the first flexible substrate. The resulting large-area shelf sensor j. Can be divided into approx. 85 cm sections and contacted using double-sided FPC connectors. The detection of the presence of an object on a large-area sensor 1 is then realized by the presence of a short circuit in selected combinations of transverse and longitudinal printed electrically conductive paths 4 and the given short circuit is in the order of hundreds of ohms. The large-area sensor j. Is designed for shelves with a depth of 30 cm.

-6GB 308701 B6

Example 9 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of changing the resistance of IDE structures with a printed resistance layer

A PET film with a thickness of 250 μm and a width of 310 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A sensor structure consisting of sensing elements 2 based on an interdigital electrode 7 overprinted with a layer 6 of dielectric material containing conductive carbon particles was printed on it, as shown in Fig. 7. The printing motif was printed using a silver printing formulation using a 320 l screen. /inch. The printed conductive layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . Interdigital electrodes 7, i.e. IDE structures with dimensions of approx. 10 x 10 mm and fingers and gaps of approx. 0.3 mm, were printed as sampling points. Within the first layer, both ridges of the IDE structure were printed. The buses 3 of the large-area sensor 1 were designed on the side of the flexible substrate, where the electrically conductive paths 4 formed geometrically an FPC connector. Subsequently, the second layer 6 of dielectric material, i.e. the dielectric, was printed so that a short circuit did not occur when crossing the subsequent electrically conductive layer 4. The third screen printed layer was printed so that the given conductive path 4 formed a line contacting the second ridge of the IDE structure, each of the sensing elements 2. Since this conductive line forms essentially only a lead / counter pole, this conductive path 4 was conductively connected for a group of adjacent sensing elements. elements 2 to reduce the number of FPC connector contacts. The elements of the third conductive layer were terminated again in the form of an FPC connector near the first layer, so that both layers can be contacted by one FPC connector. As a fourth layer of the large-area sensor 1, a layer of UV-curable polymer of elastomeric nature was printed, which contained carbon particles providing the function of the layer. The presence of the object on the large-area sensor 1 is then realized by detecting a change in the resistance of selected sensing elements 2 due to the approach of conductive particles in the elastomeric layer, and thus a reduction in the resistance of the sensor layer. The change varies in units of up to tens of percent, depending on the shape of the object and its weight.

Example 10 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of short-circuit formation - version with diagonal conductive tracks based on carbon tracks

The same technical solution as in the case of Example 8, with the difference that the electrically conductive paths 4 are realized by means of carbon conductive paths.

Example 11 Shelf occupancy sensor based on the principle of capacity change

A PET film with a thickness of 175 μm and a width of 410 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A sensor structure consisting of capacitive sensing elements 2 was printed on it. The printing motif was printed using a silver printing formulation using a 275 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . Flat electrodes 5 were printed as sampling points, as shown in Fig. 5 with a diameter of 20 mm with buses 3 on the side of the flexible substrate, where the conductive paths 4 formed geometrically the FPC connector. Subsequently, a second layer 6 of elastomeric material, i.e. an elastomeric material containing a high-key dielectric filler, was printed. The third screen-printed layer was printed so that the electrically conductive paths 4 formed a set of lines perpendicular to the first layer and at the same time contained a conductive counter electrode 5, thus forming a sensing capacitive element 2 at the sample site. this electrically conductive path 4 is conductively connected for a group of adjacent sensing elements 2 in order to reduce the number of contacts of the FPC connector. The elements of the third conductive layer were terminated again in the form of an FPC connector near the leads of the first layer, so that both layers can be contacted by one FPC connector. The presence of the object on the large-area sensor 1 is then realized by detecting the change in capacity of the occupied sensor elements 2.

Example 12 Shelf occupancy sensor on the principle of creating a short circuit

A PET film with a thickness of 175 μm and a substrate width of 410 mm was stretched on a roll-to-roll (R2R) screen printing line. A series of motifs from two screen prints was printed on it in the register

-7 CZ 308701 B6 units, which composed a motif with longitudinal sensing elements 2 in the printing direction, when the printing motif of the longitudinal electrically conductive paths 4 was about 1 m long. The print motif was printed using a silver print formulation using a 275 mesh / inch screen. The printed layers achieved a sheet resistance of less than 0.1 Ohm / m ² . A printing motif with transverse electrically conductive paths 4 arranged perpendicular to the printing direction was printed on one second printing substrate (PET 175 pm) from one screen printing unit 5, which was periodically repeated, as shown in Fig. 9. laminated in the register a substrate with longitudinal conductive tracks 4 via a double-sided suitably perforated adhesive spacer tape (100 μm) representing a spacer which has already been pre-laminated on one side to a flexible substrate with longitudinal conductive tracks 4. All conductive tracks 4 have been routed to the bus 3. The resulting large-area shelf sensor J can be divided into approx. 1 m sections and contacted using double-sided FPC connectors. Detection of the presence of an object on a large-area sensor 1 is then realized by the presence of a short circuit in selected combinations of transverse and longitudinal printed electrically conductive paths 4 and the given short circuit is in the order of hundreds of Ohms.

Claims (4)

PATENT CLAIMS A large-area sensor (1) for indicating the occupancy of storage, exhibition or sales shelves, formed by a flat pad for at least partially covering the shelf surface, consisting of at least one sensing element (2) and at least one bus (3) connected by an electrically conductive connection to the sensing elements (2). ), wherein the substrate is formed by at least one flexible substrate and the sensing element (2) is integrated in the substrate, wherein the electrically conductive connections and the sensing element (2) are non-removably printed and / or non-removably applied by coating on the flexible substrate, the sensing elements (2) being on a flexible substrate are arranged in arrays with a constant or variable sampling density of sampling points, where exactly one sensing element (2) is arranged in each sampling point, each array having at least one separate bus (3), characterized in that the sensing element element (2) is formed by crossing two electrically conductive tracks (4), which are at the point of intersection op between the flat electrodes (5), a layer (6) of elastomeric material with a defined electrical permittivity or with a defined electrical resistance is inserted between the flat electrodes (5) or, the sensing element (2) is formed by a structure of an interdigital electrode (7), on which is printed on a layer (6) of elastomeric composite material with a defined electrical permittivity or with a defined electrical resistance or, the sensing element (2) is light-sensitive and comprises a photoresistor (9) or a photovoltaic cell. Large-area sensor according to Claim 1, characterized in that the elastomeric composite material consists of an elastomeric polymer from the group of SBR, NBR, EPDM, PDMS, EVA, and electrically conductive micro and / or nanoparticles from the group of materials: carbon materials, silver materials, copper materials . Large-area sensor according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensing elements (2) are formed from at least one material from the group of particle-based printing formulations for silver, copper, aluminum, gold, platinum or carbon composite cursors, and furthermore, the flexible substrates are formed from at least one material from the group of polymeric substrates polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane, and paper, from compostable material lactic acid, polyglycolic acid, nanocellulose, or chitos. Large-area sensor according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the material with a defined electrical permittivity is at least one material from the group of polymer solutions, dispersed polymers, UV-curable printing formulations.